REVIVAL PHOTOS (4)

REVIVAL PHOTOS (4)

Learn a striking truth. The most beautiful pictures are not the ones you see with your eyes, but the ones you see with your mind.
In Revelation 1-3, John paints awesome pictures of Christ, not with a brush, but with words.
Remember that Ephesus had lost their dear love for Christ. That brought about the fleshly or worldly church Pergamus. Pergumus adopted the doctrine of Balaam and Nicolaitanes. Jesus came at them with a two-edged sword.
The next generation whose children came out of the Church of Pergamus, took upon themselves the character traits of the church of Thyatira.

THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA
Look at this fourth picture of the Lord. It is a 3d - Hologram.
Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
The picture this church is given of Christ was Him, like the Son of God.
1) As a king’s son looks kingly and as a son of Royalty looks royal, Christ looked Godly, holy, righteous, pure. This is the first picture on the hologram: Christ as the Son of God in His power, honor and glory!
2) When the hologram is tilted, that glorious sight of Christ ascending into heaven turned to a picture of burning, piercing eyes of fire. The eyes of the Lord were not eyes of love but eyes of judgment. His eyes were full of anger and fury.
His eyes were penetrating, piercing and they demanded purity.
For a person in a church like Thyatira to see the Lord, he would have been shocked. For all he heard about was a god of love. Satan had blinded many of their eyes.
3) Turn this 3d hologram again, and you would see shinny brass boots prepared for warfare.
The Lord was not coming to compliment this church. The Lord was coming to conquer it. He was coming to judge the evil that was so readily accepted and practiced within its walls.
Listen to what the Lord says to this church. 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
This was a church that preached what we call today, the social gospel. They wanted to help the needy and rightly so. We should. They preached love and they preached love.
They wanted to feed the poor and that is good. They wanted to teach the unlearned to read and that is good. They had many social programs, but there was a problem.
Look at what Jesus says in verse 20: 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Wow! That is heavy preaching. Jezebel was a idol worshipper. She did not worship or know the God of heaven and this church compromised to the place where it was fellowshipping with churches that denied the cardinal doctrines of the Bible, in the name of a social gospel.
In this church, pre-marital and extra-marital relationships were accepted as OK. Homosexuality and drunkenness and “live as you please” was the accepted theme of their lives.
To them, everything was relative. It was only wrong if you thought it was wrong. They had thrown out the doctrines of God’s word and they preached, “Love everybody,” rather than, “Thus saith the Lord.”
They had compromised so much that they had Jezebel preaching to them. That means they had lost people standing in the pulpit.
The churches voted in unsaved pastors to preach and they allowed unsaved teachers to them, and they taught false doctrine.
There are many shocking surveys of preachers all over America. Many stand in the pulpits every Sunday, but deny that Jesus is God.
Many deny or doubt the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. And up to 83% of those in the mainline churches of America say they believe there is more than one way to heaven, when Jesus said, “I am the only way.”

God was merciful and gracious to this church. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
This church was witnessed to by the true believers, but they rejected God’s Word.
They chose to believe relativism and humanism and the social Gospel over the complete truth of God’s Word.
God tells them the outcome of such a church. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
This church has grown into a massive church over thousands of years. It has become part of the great Babylonian system that has existed for 3500 years.
Listen folks: don’t follow the teachings of your church, if those teachings contradict the Word of God. It may not take you to hell, but it may take your children to hell. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Sometimes Christian folks watch their once Bible preaching church, become the church of Thyatira, but they stay because mom and dad is buried in the cemetery. One preacher said, “Dig them up if you have to, but get into a Bible believing church.”
I’ll be more realistic, “They aren’t their friend.” They are either in heaven of hell.”
Some say, well we have family in the church and we can’t leave. Set an example and leave, and find a good Bible preaching church.
Verse 23 is saying this: don’t judge a church by its wealth or popularity. God judges a man’s motive. God sees man’s heart. God rewards everyone according to the motive of their hearts, not the works they are part of.

Thank God, there were some saved even in this wicked church. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Notice God’s words of encouragement, but first you must ask, “What is the doctrine?” It was the idea of using man’s methods to reach the masses, when God judges a person’s motive.
This was the teaching of Thyatira. It said used the devil methods to reach people for God.
What they did not realize was they would miss heaven. Those living when Christ comes back will miss the rapture and enter the tribulation period to face the judgment of God.
Here is the encouragement. The Lord says, be faithful and stand true to me in the midst of this church age when few will stand for truth and you won’t have to face the burden of the tribulation or hell.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
From verse 26, we see believers that stand for the unchanging Christ even in the last days. To them, the Lord says, I will make you rulers over nations.
For you that were listening, when I first addressed the Church of Thyatira, you recall I said the picture was a 3d hologram.
But now we find what is called a Holographic message. Today, technology is being worked on where a person can leave you a holographic message on special holographic cell phones.
That means certain cell phones will have the ability to project an image of a man, standing on the phone some two inches tall with a 360 degree image.
The resurrected Son of God was the first picture, then eyes of fire and then feet of brass.
Now in verse 27, Christ is seen ruling with a rod of iron as he picks up a clay pot and breaks it in a thousand pieces. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
This pictures the Lord when he comes back. He will break every government and the will of every man on the earth.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
Jesus is called the morning star because that is the first star seen in the morning. Those who stand true and firm will have first place and the highest positions in the millennial reign of Christ.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Remember the picture is that of the Lord who is a mighty Judge. He does not picture himself as a baby in the arms of Mary, nor of one hanging on a cross, but that of a mighty warrior coming to judge. His eyes are filled with the wrath of God and he is coming to stomp out the wickedness of sin.

THE CHURCH OF SARDIS
The next downward step of a church is like unto the Church of Sardis (Rev 3:1). It was on a respirator. She was dying. They had canceled prayer meetings. They had canceled Sunday night services. Why? They were so far from God spiritually, living in the flesh, believing false doctrine, they thought, “Why pray?”
They had become pretty much a country club or social gathering. The Bible was hardly ever read from or taught. Social issues had become the message of the hour, not “Thus saith the Lord.” They had explained away God’s word as a mere book of literature.
Look how the Lord reveals himself.
Revelation 3:1, 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
When Jesus revealed His photo to them, He revealed Himself as the omniscience God, who sees all, and knows all. Why?
Here was a church that trusted in intellectual knowledge and scientific investigation. They did not walk by faith but by sight.
Tilt the hologram and Jesus reveals in his hand that He controls those who preach truth, but sadly, these folks would not listen.
They said, “We are alive and moving and going for God, look at our large crowds, look at the fun we are having. Look at the excitement.” They did have large crowds and excitement, but it was all focused on self and self pleasure and not God and holiness.
Jesus said, ‘You are spiritually dead.” You don’t love me. You don’t love righteousness or holiness or purity or virtue. You think it is OK to lie and cuss and fornicate and do whatever you want. You say you are alive and free, but you are spiritually dead!
Jesus gives them a warning in Revelation 3:3: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Remember it! Go back and remember the way it use to be. Yes, the old fashion way is God’s way. Receive it! Hear, “Faith cometh by hearing my word.” Hear and believe and hold fast and repent.
The word “watch” is to look and be cautious and know what is going on around you. If you do not know the truth and if you play the religious game, when I return, you will be left behind.

THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
Listen: The church of Philadelphia was a great church. They were mission minded. They believed all the doctrines of the Bible. They were faithful to the Lord. They did not deny the Lord’s name with their lips or with their life (v 8).
They had opposition (v 9) but stayed true to the Scriptures. The Lord tells this body of believers, I will keep you from the tribulation period. I will take you to the Bema Seat and give you a crown and then you will reign with me in the New Jerusalem.
Look: The photograph of our Lord to this church is one of the True God. They see the Lord that is Holy and pure and just and righteous. Look at Revelation 3:7: And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
The church of Philadelphia saw Christ in His holiness. Verse 7 says “he that is holy.” That revealed His righteousness, sacredness, divinity, wholesomeness and innocence. They saw “He that is true.” He was absolute truth. His word is never questioned. It was final. Jesus was the only way to heaven. He was the lamb who gave His life on Calvary. He said, “Ye must be born again.’ And everybody that goes to heaven must come to Christ under the conviction of the Spirit and receive Him as Savior.
They knew through prayer, God opened doors and shut doors. They were a praying church.
Keep in mind this thought. There are these different type of churches all over the world today. And there are members like unto these in every church that the Spirit of the living God tries to reveal Himself to. But, many are blind by the pleasures and cares of this world.
THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA
The last church is the church of Laodicea. What would you think if a person wandered in this building and they were blind? You approach them to help them and you notice that they had not had a bath in a year. They had a distinct sweaty rancid smell.
Then you noticed that they were nearly naked. Their cloths had been all, but ripped off.
You caring for their safety, modesty and well being, run to them. You throw your coat over them to cover their shame and to warm them, and they look at you in anger and astonished pride and say, leave me alone. Who do you think you are? Do you think you are better than me? I don’t need your help. I don’t need anybody’s help. I am just fine, just like I am.
This was the church of Laodicea. I don’t need to be holy. I don’t need forgiveness. I don’t need to get any closer to God. I’m OK!
Look at Christ’s appearance at Laodicea. Jesus reveals Himself in v 14 as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Jesus is the “Amen” of the Church. This is what Church is all about. It is about Jesus. He is to be exalted and praised and taught and lifted up and exalted.
Jesus reminds them how faithful He was to the church. He died for the church and rose again for the church and established the church. He gave gifts to the church. He is the head of the church.
He was the true witness. Any and all who contradict what the Bible says are false. It matters not their denominational tag.
He says, “I am God, the creator. I am the royal, redeeming, righteous and rightful king.” I am the center of the church.
Listen to what He has to say to the church: 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Their works were on and off, on and off. They were unfaithful to the services, to prayer, to worship. They were not on fire for God and they were not doctrinally sound.
They were proud and arrogant (17), and they didn’t want anybody telling them to get closer to God.
Therefore Jesus says this: 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; They sat and heard truth and stuck their spiritual nose in the air and said, “I won’t change. I won’t change.”
Notice the last part of verse 17: …and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Wretched means worthless. Miserable means depressed. Depression can fall on a scale of just being unhappy to down right in the dumps.
Poor here refers to their spiritual bankruptcy. They did not have any thing invested in heaven. They were a selfish people living for the pleasures of this world and their church worship was no different than their life style.
They were blind by Satan. Remember 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Satan had blinded their eyes to the gospel and to truth.
Though they wore the most beautiful clothing outwardly and they did in Ephesus, Jesus told them they were naked. Why? Their souls were naked. They had not put on salvation or sanctification or submission or surrender. They were naked and had nothing to present to God when they stood before Him.
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Jesus says, you would be wise to walk through the fires for God than to miss heaven all together.
To suffer humility for Christ will make you rich. It will cloth you with a righteous garment and take away your shame.
Your eyes would then be open with the eye salve of the Holy Spirit and then you could see clearly how to live.
In verse 19, Jesus says, I know it sounds like I am rebuking you but that is only because I love you. Be passionate about spiritual things. Repent of evil. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Notice verse 20. Probably the most shocking thing about this church is they have kicked out God’s Word. They did not enjoy fellowshipping with Christ. They wanted to fellowship with Jesus but could not because Jesus is holy and this church was totally carnal.
Jesus, who revealed himself as God, the Amen, the faithful one and the Truth, now reveals Himself in this hologram removed from the Church completely. You twist the hologram and Christ has been kicked out of the church.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Know that Jesus knocks gently, but he knocks faithfully at your hearts’ door. He won’t yell at you. He won’t knock you down, but gently, He knocks at your heart’s door. When are you going to let Him in?
Will you ask Him to come in and take over your life today, or will you wait till tragedy strikes?